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Winged coaster "The Swarm" rips arms off test dummies

Started by KBCraig, March 03, 2012, 05:50:54 PM

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KBCraig

 :o :o :o

The self-described "flight through apocalyptic devastation on Europe's tallest winged rollercoaster" propels up to 28 riders at a time with their arms and legs dangling freely at 62 miles per hour and includes trips through an inverted 127-foot drop and several close encounters with walled structures that are designed to make passengers feel like they are about to crash.

The ride's designers ran some test runs with crash test dummies, leaving many shocked when the dummies returned from the experience missing arms and legs. A team of former British fighter pilots were then brought in as the coaster's preparation neared completion. Mark Cutmore, team leader of the Blades, a stunt pilot organization, told the Metro: "I am a self-confessed adrenaline junkie, but even as a pilot used to G-force there were some gut-wrenching moments, and I have to admit the near miss element is eye-watering -- you really do feel as if you are going to crash into the structures."


http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/winged-roller-coaster-swarm-rips-arms-off-crash-183513325.html


Ozark Outlaw

Not to go out on a missing limb here, but someone could really give these rollercoaster designers a hand. Eventually the theme park owners will either have to put their foot down, or at least give them a leg up. Hopefully this whole experience won't dislocate the success of the rollercoaster itself, and they can finally get out there, and break a leg. 

shavethewhales

This is old and fake. Thorpe park and Merlin Group in general have a history of shocking ad campaigns like this. Recent episodes have seen the ban the raising of arms on rides because "neighbors were complaining of armpit odor", fake-banning under 18 from riding certain rides because they are "too scary" etc, etc, etc.

There's no way in the world that B&M of all groups would design a coaster without proper clearance. Secondly, they do envelope tests on every inch of track anyway before actual testing begins. I can't imagine how pissed they must have been when Merlin ran this story.

KBCraig

Quote from: shavethewhales on March 04, 2012, 07:09:57 PM
This is old and fake.
. . .
There's no way in the world that B&M of all groups would design a coaster without proper clearance.
I didn't infer from the story that the dummies lost limbs from a lack of clearance. I thought it was g-forces, probably quickly reversing g-forces, and crash test dummies aren't very good anatomical models for such tests. It certainly doesn't imply that human passengers would lose limbs just because Buster would.  ;)

The comment about seeming like you really were going to hit the obstacles indicates good design. Heck, I duck my head plunging into the tunnel on ThuNderaTion, even though I know better.

okiebluegrass

QuoteNot to go out on a missing limb here, but someone could really give these rollercoaster designers a hand. Eventually the theme park owners will either have to put their foot down, or at least give them a leg up. Hopefully this whole experience won't dislocate the success of the rollercoaster itself, and they can finally get out there, and break a leg.   
Now that's what I'm talking about. I've missed that kinda thing.

rubedugans

Sounds similar to the heads that came off on dummies at SF StL Mr Freeze during their testing phase. They actually had a car come loose and end up in a neighboring rides are according to a few accounts.